TV: Deutschland 83 case study
1) Find one positive aspect and one criticism of Deutschland 83 in reviews.
2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
It’s a perfect moment in a near-perfect series. Deutschland 83’s first episode of eight was the most-watched foreign-language drama in UK history.
Deutschland 83's first episode of eight was the most-watched foreign language drama in the UK.
'Yet by the time the last episode was shown in Germany last December, it had shed half it's starting audience'.
"The odd situation is that after decades of being seen as boring and ugly, Germany has found a way of making people abroad think it is cool and sexy – yet Germans don’t like it"
2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?
By focusing the story around Martin Rauch, a young East German border guard going undercover in the west, it doesn’t just make the viewer empathise with a Stasi agent on a human level – in the way The Lives of Others did – it makes us engage with the socialist regime’s worldview, in which a military exercise in West Germany poses a potentially existential threat.
3) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?
"Loved this series. I was in West Germany in the summer of 1983 and I thought the programme-makers captured the mood of the time perfectly. East Germany was much less well done (and more cartoonish) but it didn't really matter"
"Enjoyed this series. It was well written and gave a perspective on the DDR that is not commonplace. However, the portrayal of the old East Germany, particularly the Stasi, was not sinister enough and the way the state manipulated the populace into spying on their neighbours and family did not come through strong enough."
"I live in Germany and the locals didn't like it for two reasons: It was riddled with very silly inaccuracies, which were required for the plot to work; and it was on at the same time as the Voice."
Diffult to agree with some of the comments has I don't what it was really like to be in Germany at that time however I agree to certain extend that the show may have not accurately represented Gerany which resulted in the unappeal of to the germans of the show
**************************************************************************************************************************************
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
He says he was taught the Cold War in history but they mainly focused on world war 2. If he could decide whether to live in West Germany of East he would choose west because there were more freedom and fewer restrictions in the west.
2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)
Channel 4 tries to reach a wider audience worldwide.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
To create one of the audience pleasure- which is surveillance- which means proving the audience with knowledge to current situations of german.
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1) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?
Anna Le Vine Winger (creator and lead writer), quotes- 'Because it is fun because it is super interesting because there are great performances because it is a trip, it's an adventure, and there are a lot of surprises... and it's a journey and you want to go on the journey with these people'.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
Its a costume drama set during the cold war and allows the audience to learn history fo the west and east whilst appealed by its drama.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
'The cinematography, the costume and the production design are striking. It uses a style that we know from some "event movies". I'd say our mother and fathers paved the way for us'-Jorg Winger (producer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
Lange states that 'we create the movie sets and individual motifs and decors, from the location idea through to the development phase and realisation'. It needed to convey the tone of the show and be used to depict similar places in East and West Germany being utterly different.#
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
Lange read the screenplay, then looked at images for perspectives. The setting, costume and props were very historically accurate and there was a lot of research done in preparation about the different cars, computers, building designs and colour schemes that we used in 1983.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
Props, costumes and music allow the audience to emerge into the show and provide audience pleasure like a diversion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Textual analysis: Audience pleasures and representations
Scene 1
Technical Codes
Setting
Difference between West and East
West is more Amerciansied and almost artificial whereas the east is seen as more real and genuine happiness although that itself may be the fetishisation of the EastTv in east showing concert from Budapest(in East)
Props- Nescafe coffee(criticizing capitalism- don't need brands to be happy)
360 show in the West- Fels surrounded since he is the spy, pressure.
Audio Codes
East- Pop music(99 Red Ballons)
German version documenting time
Dialogue
Representation
West- almost fake, business deal- unlike the east
Individual vs community(west vs east)
the fetishisation of East over West(Positive, happy, close-knit family)
West- awkward (contrast in the atmosphere)
Age-young people- positive
old people-politicians
Audience Pleasure
Music-nostalgia
undercover- Tension
Scene 2
Technical Codes
Mise-en-scene- in the shop- branded items
House in West(Chandelier, oak-panelled)- Wealth, comfortable living
Clothing- Red Puma brand
Shelves- fresh food- how powerful West is
Intertextual reference to 1980's pop art
-Almost like Andy Warhol painting
Magazine- free press
Audio Codes
Music in the background of the shop
Dialogue(Bench)
-Under current that the west is better than east
Representation
East=West
-colours
Gender
- What does Annette want?
Police eating ice cream
-East is more authoritative compared to the west
Reinforcing Capital superiority(West has all the privileges but they are all unhappy but East are being fetishized)
Audience Pleasure
Nostalgia
Personal Relationship
-We are already in Martins side just 14 min in
Diversion
-Pace "WW3"
Scene 3
Technical Codes
Editing- Fast-Paced
Split Screen- Difference Between the West and East
Montage Sequence- Narrative Development
Graphics font- 80s feel
Mise-en-scene- Gadgets
Jump cuts
Audio Codes
Dialogue- voice over- the difference between west and east
music pace- 80s pop song- translation- your home
Representation
West is shown as more American
Fruit- Reinforces dominant capitalist ideology(hegemony)west is better than East
Gender- narrow rep of women
Audience Pleasure
Intertextuality- Bond movies
-Gadgets
Audience-music
-nostalgia
Scene 4
Technical Codes
Close up- Real documents
-Martins face- tension
Cohesion
The first show is through the blinds- the recurring motif of spying- creates a constant visual style
The audience wants to see a wide shot to see if anyone is coming
Audio Codes
Sound Effect- Camera dips, the keys
Exaggerated(Diegetic sound)
-adds tension- seems like he will be caught for being too loud
Representation
American Power- Ideology- Capitalist locked away from East
West is doing a bad job at hiding
Audience Pleasure
Diversion- Engimma and action codes
Surveillance- real documents + events
Real events + people
Personal relationship
- Audiences don't want Martin to get caught
Interstuality- Spy genre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production and industry contexts
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.
1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced?
They offer successful fictional formats in German TV and cinema. They have produced Ku'damm 56, Deutschland86 and "Charité".
2) What kind of company is Freemantle Media International and what do they produce?
Fremantle is a global creative powerhouse. Our scale, diversity and connectivity are our competitive advantage, allowing us to build world-class partnerships, create great value and deliver irresistible entertainment that is core to the ever-changing world of our audience.
They've made shows like Price is Right, Family Feud, X-Factor and Grand Designs.
3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?
Deutschland 86 didn't do well in Germany but was very successful in the UK and American so on a global nature it was very successful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Presents
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Introduces Walter has the one who watches the best of series
2) What audience is Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
People who watch tv series based on reviews and other peoples opinions. Also, people who think greatly of Walter and belives what he watches is the best
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
People have more access to streaming devices which allow people to explore other genres and allow them to binge-watch their series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marketing and promotion
Trailer
1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Deutschland 83's first episode of eight was the most-watched foreign language drama in the UK.
'Yet by the time the last episode was shown in Germany last December, it had shed half it's starting audience'.
"The odd situation is that after decades of being seen as boring and ugly, Germany has found a way of making people abroad think it is cool and sexy – yet Germans don’t like it"
2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?
By focusing the story around Martin Rauch, a young East German border guard going undercover in the west, it doesn’t just make the viewer empathise with a Stasi agent on a human level – in the way The Lives of Others did – it makes us engage with the socialist regime’s worldview, in which a military exercise in West Germany poses a potentially existential threat.
3) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?
"Loved this series. I was in West Germany in the summer of 1983 and I thought the programme-makers captured the mood of the time perfectly. East Germany was much less well done (and more cartoonish) but it didn't really matter"
"Enjoyed this series. It was well written and gave a perspective on the DDR that is not commonplace. However, the portrayal of the old East Germany, particularly the Stasi, was not sinister enough and the way the state manipulated the populace into spying on their neighbours and family did not come through strong enough."
"I live in Germany and the locals didn't like it for two reasons: It was riddled with very silly inaccuracies, which were required for the plot to work; and it was on at the same time as the Voice."
Diffult to agree with some of the comments has I don't what it was really like to be in Germany at that time however I agree to certain extend that the show may have not accurately represented Gerany which resulted in the unappeal of to the germans of the show
**************************************************************************************************************************************
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
He says he was taught the Cold War in history but they mainly focused on world war 2. If he could decide whether to live in West Germany of East he would choose west because there were more freedom and fewer restrictions in the west.
2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)
Channel 4 tries to reach a wider audience worldwide.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
To create one of the audience pleasure- which is surveillance- which means proving the audience with knowledge to current situations of german.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?
Anna Le Vine Winger (creator and lead writer), quotes- 'Because it is fun because it is super interesting because there are great performances because it is a trip, it's an adventure, and there are a lot of surprises... and it's a journey and you want to go on the journey with these people'.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
Its a costume drama set during the cold war and allows the audience to learn history fo the west and east whilst appealed by its drama.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
'The cinematography, the costume and the production design are striking. It uses a style that we know from some "event movies". I'd say our mother and fathers paved the way for us'-Jorg Winger (producer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
Lange states that 'we create the movie sets and individual motifs and decors, from the location idea through to the development phase and realisation'. It needed to convey the tone of the show and be used to depict similar places in East and West Germany being utterly different.#
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
Lange read the screenplay, then looked at images for perspectives. The setting, costume and props were very historically accurate and there was a lot of research done in preparation about the different cars, computers, building designs and colour schemes that we used in 1983.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
Props, costumes and music allow the audience to emerge into the show and provide audience pleasure like a diversion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Textual analysis: Audience pleasures and representations
Scene 1
Technical Codes
Setting
Difference between West and East
West is more Amerciansied and almost artificial whereas the east is seen as more real and genuine happiness although that itself may be the fetishisation of the EastTv in east showing concert from Budapest(in East)
Props- Nescafe coffee(criticizing capitalism- don't need brands to be happy)
360 show in the West- Fels surrounded since he is the spy, pressure.
Audio Codes
East- Pop music(99 Red Ballons)
German version documenting time
Dialogue
Representation
West- almost fake, business deal- unlike the east
Individual vs community(west vs east)
the fetishisation of East over West(Positive, happy, close-knit family)
West- awkward (contrast in the atmosphere)
Age-young people- positive
old people-politicians
Audience Pleasure
Music-nostalgia
undercover- Tension
Technical Codes
Mise-en-scene- in the shop- branded items
House in West(Chandelier, oak-panelled)- Wealth, comfortable living
Clothing- Red Puma brand
Shelves- fresh food- how powerful West is
Intertextual reference to 1980's pop art
-Almost like Andy Warhol painting
Magazine- free press
Audio Codes
Music in the background of the shop
Dialogue(Bench)
-Under current that the west is better than east
Representation
East=West
-colours
Gender
- What does Annette want?
Police eating ice cream
-East is more authoritative compared to the west
Reinforcing Capital superiority(West has all the privileges but they are all unhappy but East are being fetishized)
Audience Pleasure
Nostalgia
Personal Relationship
-We are already in Martins side just 14 min in
Diversion
-Pace "WW3"
Scene 3
Technical Codes
Editing- Fast-Paced
Split Screen- Difference Between the West and East
Montage Sequence- Narrative Development
Graphics font- 80s feel
Mise-en-scene- Gadgets
Jump cuts
Audio Codes
Dialogue- voice over- the difference between west and east
music pace- 80s pop song- translation- your home
Representation
West is shown as more American
Fruit- Reinforces dominant capitalist ideology(hegemony)west is better than East
Gender- narrow rep of women
Audience Pleasure
Intertextuality- Bond movies
-Gadgets
Audience-music
-nostalgia
Scene 4
Technical Codes
Close up- Real documents
-Martins face- tension
Cohesion
The first show is through the blinds- the recurring motif of spying- creates a constant visual style
The audience wants to see a wide shot to see if anyone is coming
Audio Codes
Sound Effect- Camera dips, the keys
Exaggerated(Diegetic sound)
-adds tension- seems like he will be caught for being too loud
Representation
American Power- Ideology- Capitalist locked away from East
West is doing a bad job at hiding
Audience Pleasure
Diversion- Engimma and action codes
Surveillance- real documents + events
Real events + people
Personal relationship
- Audiences don't want Martin to get caught
Interstuality- Spy genre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production and industry contexts
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.
1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced?
They offer successful fictional formats in German TV and cinema. They have produced Ku'damm 56, Deutschland86 and "Charité".
2) What kind of company is Freemantle Media International and what do they produce?
Fremantle is a global creative powerhouse. Our scale, diversity and connectivity are our competitive advantage, allowing us to build world-class partnerships, create great value and deliver irresistible entertainment that is core to the ever-changing world of our audience.
They've made shows like Price is Right, Family Feud, X-Factor and Grand Designs.
3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?
Deutschland 86 didn't do well in Germany but was very successful in the UK and American so on a global nature it was very successful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Presents
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Introduces Walter has the one who watches the best of series
2) What audience is Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
People who watch tv series based on reviews and other peoples opinions. Also, people who think greatly of Walter and belives what he watches is the best
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
People have more access to streaming devices which allow people to explore other genres and allow them to binge-watch their series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marketing and promotion
Trailer
1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Personal Identity-
Germans's may feel themselves be reflected through the main character and relate to his struggles and feel that sense of nostalgia
Personal Relationships-
Attain a close relationship with Martin and since this film is common of age the audience can grow and bond with Martin and feel his struggles within them
Diversion-
The sense, spy genre makes sure to make the audience feel tied into the show and forget about their environment
Surveillance-
The show is based on real events and some real characters, this teaches the audience through the history of the cold war through the drama.
2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
The constant running as Martin tries escaping or catching something and also him using gadgets creates action and enigma codes.
3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
Through a trailer, The show must attract a large amount of audience and many people maybe be put off by the idea of subtitles and foreign language so in the trailer they must put some English.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press pack
Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here).
1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
The privilege of writing about the 1980s is that it wasn’t that long
ago and the people who were involved in it are still alive. We
interviewed politicians, people in intelligence, diplomats and also
just regular people about their experiences. Also, everyone who
worked on the project brought personal memories of that time to it.
Except Jonas, of course, because he was born in 1990! However,
rather than going for, say, heritage drama with this project, we
were going for a kind of psychological reality. We’re seeing the
world through the eyes of our protagonist, so the style of the
storytelling and the style of the execution are deliberately
heightened. Our set designer, Lars Lange, is amazing – he has such
incredible attention to detail. And our lead director, Edward Berger,
did a fantastic job.
2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Music was key to the story from the beginning. The top 100 songs
of 1983 are still on the radio all the time! It was just an incredible
year of pop culture and the songs really travelled, maybe because
music videos started around that time as well, so there was a visual
component for the very first time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press release
Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).
1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?
After launching with 1.49 million viewers, the first episode has now consolidated with 2.5
a million viewers, overtaking the launch of The Returned (9th June 2013) on Channel 4 which
previously held the record with 2.2 million.
2) How does the news release describe the drama?
“It’s only January but let’s call it already: coolest show of the year.”
Grazia
“This is the next subtitled sensation……..unmissable TV.”
TV Times
“This pacy saga could be your new subtitled obsession.”
The Guardian
“A stylish curtain-raiser for Walter Presents.”
The Times
“Great fun, and powered by an irrestible 1983 vintage soundtrack.”
The Daily Telegraph
“Evocative and gripping.”
The Daily Mail
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International marketing
Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (left) and the American Sundance TV advert (right).
1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
The reading on the wall states undercover, therefore, showing how it could be a spy genre. Also, the reference of the Cold War shows the drama could be a time period.
2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The use of font and colours gives the show pop art vibes. On the left, the poster gives a vintage vibe with the font.
3) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
Different countries have different interests. For example. the USA audience has an interest in the European war and therefore, they decided to put a solider on the main cover.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press pack
Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here).
1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
The privilege of writing about the 1980s is that it wasn’t that long
ago and the people who were involved in it are still alive. We
interviewed politicians, people in intelligence, diplomats and also
just regular people about their experiences. Also, everyone who
worked on the project brought personal memories of that time to it.
Except Jonas, of course, because he was born in 1990! However,
rather than going for, say, heritage drama with this project, we
were going for a kind of psychological reality. We’re seeing the
world through the eyes of our protagonist, so the style of the
storytelling and the style of the execution are deliberately
heightened. Our set designer, Lars Lange, is amazing – he has such
incredible attention to detail. And our lead director, Edward Berger,
did a fantastic job.
2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Music was key to the story from the beginning. The top 100 songs
of 1983 are still on the radio all the time! It was just an incredible
year of pop culture and the songs really travelled, maybe because
music videos started around that time as well, so there was a visual
component for the very first time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press release
Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).
1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?
After launching with 1.49 million viewers, the first episode has now consolidated with 2.5
a million viewers, overtaking the launch of The Returned (9th June 2013) on Channel 4 which
previously held the record with 2.2 million.
2) How does the news release describe the drama?
“It’s only January but let’s call it already: coolest show of the year.”
Grazia
“This is the next subtitled sensation……..unmissable TV.”
TV Times
“This pacy saga could be your new subtitled obsession.”
The Guardian
“A stylish curtain-raiser for Walter Presents.”
The Times
“Great fun, and powered by an irrestible 1983 vintage soundtrack.”
The Daily Telegraph
“Evocative and gripping.”
The Daily Mail
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International marketing
Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (left) and the American Sundance TV advert (right).
1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
The reading on the wall states undercover, therefore, showing how it could be a spy genre. Also, the reference of the Cold War shows the drama could be a time period.
2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The use of font and colours gives the show pop art vibes. On the left, the poster gives a vintage vibe with the font.
3) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
Different countries have different interests. For example. the USA audience has an interest in the European war and therefore, they decided to put a solider on the main cover.
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